ISLAMABAD – Defence Minister Khawaja Asif stated on Saturday that negotiations between the government and PTI have made little headway, emphasizing that the government is under no obligation to engage in talks with the opposition party.
Asif explained that the ongoing discussions with PTI were primarily aimed at alleviating political tensions, with hopes for more meaningful progress in future rounds.
Speaking on Express News’ Centre Stage programme, Asif clarified that the negotiations were still in their early stages and have mainly focused on breaking the ice. He mentioned that while there had been no significant developments yet, the next round of talks might offer some positive outcomes.
PTI has put forward two key demands: the formation of a judicial commission to investigate the events of May 9 and November 26, as well as the release of political prisoners, including its founder, Imran Khan. Last month, Khan threatened to initiate a civil disobedience movement unless his demands were met, but later put the plan on hold after discussions with his advisers.
Following this, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif set up a committee made up of members from the governing coalition to engage with PTI, responding to a request from PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar to start talks.
Asif acknowledged that while there had been no breakthroughs in the negotiations so far, the government’s aim was to ease political tension. He noted that while tensions were gradually diminishing, there was still hope that the next phase of talks could bring a resolution. He also pointed to improvements in the economy, with increased investment in Pakistan.
Addressing rumors about PTI founder Imran Khan’s alleged transfer to Nathia Gali, Asif dismissed these claims, calling them “marketing tactics” and stating he had no knowledge of such an offer.
Asif stressed the importance of cooperation between various institutions, including the judiciary and other departments, to address the country’s challenges effectively.
The minister also held the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa provincial government accountable for the unrest in the Kurram district, saying that if PTI had managed the situation better within its own province, the crisis could have been avoided. He further claimed that Afghan nationals were “imported” during the tenure of former army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa and PTI’s leadership, leading to instability in Islamabad and Punjab.
He also referenced protests in Swat against the settlement of Afghan nationals, noting that many of the attackers in recent incidents were Afghan nationals.
Regarding the proposal from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur for political talks with Afghanistan, Asif described it as “just a proposal” with no formal response. He reiterated Pakistan’s ongoing fight against terrorism and its sacrifices in this battle.
Asif reaffirmed Pakistan’s desire for good relations with Afghanistan, but urged the Afghan government to ensure its territory is not used for attacks on Pakistan. He expressed regret that Afghan soil continues to be a base for hostile actions against Pakistan and called on Afghanistan to fulfill its responsibilities in addressing the issue.
Finally, Asif remarked that PTI appeared to be seeking external support, particularly from the United States following the upcoming presidential election. However, he chose not to speculate on whether such support would materialize.
